Next Adam popped up the picture of the little girl on the computer, but not the one that had him in it. "Do you know who that is?" He asked.
"Yup, that's either me or my sister. Feels more like it's me though. But why would you have that picture when I've never been to this universe before?" Shalandra asked.
"When you showed up and I saw you in the closet you reminded me of someone I once knew. I did a picture analysis on the computer to make sure. Then when I was running tests I did the same thing.
Years ago I had twin daughters. Their mother died shortly after they were born. The younger of the two was born very sick, but eventually got better. That picture is of my youngest daughter who disappeared with her twin sister when they were 18 months old." Adam said watching Shalandra as she absorbed the information.
Her headache was getting worse. This was amazing. Somehow if he was saying what she thought he was saying then somehow she had come home. "Are you saying what I think your saying?" She asked not daring to hope yet.
"What do you think I'm saying?" Adam asked, trying not to shock her too much at once.
"The white house was yours wasn't it? Which means that if I remember it then you're my father?" She asked still trying not to get emotional yet.
"Yes, I was trying not to shock you too much. For years I looked for you and your sister. I built the fountain because I remember how much you enjoyed it when you came home." Adam said.
"Wow.... ok, then if I belong in this universe how did I end up being raised in the other one?" Shalandra asked her voice cracking.
"I have no clue." Adam answered.
"Where's my sister?" Shalandra asked, knowing that the girl wasn't here.
"I don't know. Your the first to return." Adam said.
Shalandra sat there shocked. She had always known she'd find her family but this was way beyond her imagination.
"Are you ok?" Adam asked concerned.
"I'm shell shocked and my head is killing me. I get these headaches often." Shalandra said quietly.
"Would you like an aspirin?" Adam asked.
"I'm allergic to aspirin, Tylenol doesn't help, and everything else I've tried either knocks me out cold for several hours or makes me extremely sick." Shalandra said with a sigh. "I should be fine after I get some rest." She finished.
"I've had Shalimar and Brennen set a room up for you. I'll have Emma show you where it is. Also, when is the last time you've had anything to eat?" Adam asked, knowing that if she was anything like him, then it had been hours.
"Six last night." Shalandra said.
"I'll walk with you to the kitchen. I missed breakfast this morning." Adam offered.
In the kitchen:
Shalimar, Brennen, Jesse, and Emma were eating lunch and joking around when Adam and Shalandra walked in.
"Are you ok, you look a bit pale?" Emma asked feeling the flood of emotions the girl was experiencing.
"Just tired and hungry. What's for lunch?" Shalandra asked.
"Sandwiches, salad, and chips. What some?" Shalimar asked.
"What kind of sandwiches?" Shalandra asked.
"I'm having tuna, who knows what the others are having." Shalimar said.
"Any left? I love tuna!" Shalandra said.
Adam grinned digging in the fridge. Shalandra practically drooled at the words tuna. If he was right Shalandra's feral side was a cat of some sort.
"Sure, it's over on the counter." Shalimar said.
Shalandra got herself a sandwich and some chips. "You got any Coke in there?" She asked Adam.
"Sure." He said handing her one as he grabbed a Pepsi and one of the sandwiches.
Shalandra sat down near Emma and Adam sat in his usual seat.
"So what do you guys do for fun?" Shalandra asked after eating some of her sandwich.
"We like to go clubbing." Emma said.
"Jesse and I like to play basketball." Brennen said.
"I like to kick virtual GSA butts." Shalimar said.
"Who's the GSA?" Shalandra asked.
"We'll tell you later after you've rested." Adam said.
"Ok. Are you guys any good at basketball? I bet I could kick both of your butts at a game later." Shalandra said to Brennen and Jesse grinning.
"We're pretty good. I'm up for a game later if Brennen is. It would be fun to see his but get kicked for once." Jesse said.
"You wish." Brennen said playing around.
"This sounds like it's going to be fun." Shalandra said a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Shalimar and Emma laughed. "Looks like you enjoy a challenge." Shalimar said to Shalandra.
"Once in a while. They seem so sure that I'm not going to beat them that I can't pass it up." Shalandra said laughing.
"I think I'm going to make some popcorn and watch this one." Emma said joking.
"I know, might be better than watching sports on television." Shalimar added.
"Emma, when you guys are done eating would you show Shalandra where her room is?" Adam asked finishing his sandwich.
"Sure." Emma said.
Adam left the kitchen thinking it was great to see how well Shalandra was getting along with the others. Shortly after Emma and Shalandra were finished eating and headed to Shalandra's room.
"Are you sure your alright?" Emma asked. Shalandra was barley in control of her emotions.
"I will be after I get some rest. It's been an amazing day so far, that's all." Shalandra said.
"Did Adam tell you what he found out?" Emma asked.
"Yeah he did. It was quite a shock." Shalandra answered.
"I know. I was in the lab when he found out. He was a bit shocked himself." Emma said.
"You were? It's almost as if he gave up hoping he'd find either my sister or I long ago." Shalandra said yawning.
"I got the same feeling. Here's your room." Emma said, opening the door to reveal a room decorated in purple and burgundy.
"Oh wow!" Shalandra said.
"Do you like it? Shalimar and Brennen worked on it while you were talking to Adam.
"I love it. Those are my favorite colors." Shalandra said.
"If you need to talk later let me know." Emma said.
"Ok, I will. I'm looking forward to kicking the boys butts in a game of ball later!" Shalandra said.
Emma laughed and left the room. Shalandra took off her shoes and jeans and then sat on the bed looking around. At least now she knew where she came from and what she was. At once years of pain and loneliness hit her. She cried for what felt like hours releasing it then fell asleep exhausted. The one thing she was sure of right now was that she had finally found home and was among friends.
Emma stopped outside the hallway feeling Shalandra give in to the emotions that she had been holding back. Several minutes later she could tell that the girl had finally calmed down and fallen asleep. She headed for the lab.
In the lab:
Adam was in the lab trying to find a way to make Shalandra's DNA more stable. Some of the health problems he could help with and others he couldn't at this time. He looked up when Emma walked in.
"How's she doing?" He asked.
"She's a mess, but she finally fell asleep. How are you holding up?" Emma asked.
"I was a bit surprised at first. Now I'm worried. She's got a few health problems and her DNA isn't very stable." He answered.
"I'm sure you'll figure something out. You always do." Emma said.
"I'm also worried about what Mason would do if he gets his hands on her." Adam revealed.
"We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen." Emma said.
"I know." Adam said getting into his work once again.
Several hours later:
Shalandra woke up slowly and looked around in a daze. After a few seconds she remembered where she was and the events of earlier. She had a ball game she wanted to win. She quickly got up and regretted it as a wave of dizziness hit her. She leaned against the wall for a few minutes.
"You ok?" Shalimar asked. Adam had asked her to sit with the girl until she woke up.
Shalandra jumped and looked around. "I'm fine. Just got up too quickly." She said.
"Sorry, I startled you. Adam asked me to sit here until you woke up. I think he was a bit worried." Shal said.
"I'm ok. Been an interesting day." Shalandra mumbled heading for the bathroom. She got a drink and splashed some water on her face. A few minutes later she felt better.
"Are you sure? You looked upset earlier." Shal asked.
"How would you feel if in one day your world that you knew was turned around and you got answers to lifelong questions?" Shalandra said sitting down.
"I think I'd be a bit surprised. Want to talk about it?" Shal offered.
"Growing up I always felt that wasn't where I belonged. I also felt like a freak because I had abilities that didn't seem to exist. I didn't use them often though because I was afraid of becoming a human guinea pig if they were discovered.
All of a sudden I show up here, where it's ok to be different and I also find out who I really am." Shalandra said.
"Is there anyone special where you're from?" Shal asked.
"Nope. I lost touch with school friends and my relatives died a long time ago. The one person I loved also died a decade ago." Shalandra said.
"You said you found out who you really are?" Shal asked curious.
"Yeah I did and that was the biggest shock. I never thought my abilities would bring me to a home I never knew existed." Shalandra said.
"Your from this universe then?" Shal said.
"Apparently." Shalandra said not ready to reveal the rest.
"You hungry?" Shal asked, remembering that Adam had mentioned for Shalandra to have something to eat when she woke up.
"A little. Got anything chocolate around here?" Shalandra asked.
Shalimar laughed. "Yeah we do. Both Emma and I love chocolate." She said headed to the kitchen.
After Shalandra ate she went to the basketball court and wasn't surprised to find Brennen and Jesse already there. "You guys ready to get your butts kicked?" She asked.
Brennen looked up and grinned. This girl had spunk. "Sure if you think you can." He answered.
"Ok, I'll be nice and give the two of you a chance. Me against both of you." She said.